Donald Trump, the United States president, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening for a closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Washington and Beijing confront mounting tensions over trade, technology, Taiwan, and the war in Iran.
Trump descended the steps of Air Force One to an elaborate state welcome at the Beijing airport, where a red carpet stretched across the tarmac, and hundreds of Chinese children waved miniature American and Chinese flags while chanting greetings in Mandarin.
Han Zheng, the Chinese vice president, personally received the American president alongside senior Chinese and US officials, in what observers viewed as a carefully staged show of respect from Beijing.
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A military honour guard and military band lined the arrival ceremony as Trump briefly paused after leaving the aircraft, smiling as he took in the spectacle before greeting dignitaries and heading to his hotel without taking questions from reporters.
Accompanying Trump on the trip were his son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, and Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, underlining the central role technology and business are expected to play during the visit.
The two-day summit comes at a delicate moment for both global powers. Trump is facing growing scrutiny at home over the expanding conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, while China is grappling with the economic fallout from disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
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China remains one of Iran’s most important economic partners and relies heavily on Iranian oil exports. Washington is expected to pressure Beijing to use its influence over Tehran as fears grow over wider instability in the Middle East.
“The war in Iran is expected to dominate the agenda,” the BBC reported, noting that China faces increasing pressure from the United States to exert economic and political leverage over Iran.
Before landing in Beijing, Trump signalled he would press Xi to further open China’s economy to American companies and technology firms.
“I will be asking President Xi, a leader of extraordinary distinction, to open up China so that these brilliant people can work their magic and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level,” Trump wrote on social media ahead of his arrival.
He added that it would be his “very first request” during talks with the Chinese leader.
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Trade tensions are also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Trump is seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American agricultural goods, while Beijing wants Washington to ease tariffs imposed on Chinese exports.
The summit is also unfolding against renewed tensions over Taiwan. Although the Trump administration recently approved a major arms package for Taipei, officials in Washington have at times softened language around direct military support for the self-governed island, creating uncertainty over America’s long-term position.
Trump last visited China in 2017 during his first term in office. His latest trip had originally been planned for March but was delayed by the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel, which has continued to unsettle global markets and energy supplies.
Analysts say the Beijing meeting could shape the direction of US-China relations at a time of growing geopolitical rivalry and economic uncertainty, with both sides under pressure to stabilise ties without appearing to concede ground on key strategic issues.
According to the BBC, the reception Trump received on arrival was notably warmer and more senior than during his previous visit, signalling Beijing’s effort to set a constructive tone ahead of negotiations.
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